Mastalgia
– pain of any kind or discomfort in the mammary glands. Pain in the mammary glands is conventionally divided into two types: cyclic pain – associated with the menstrual cycle, and non-cyclical pain.
Cyclic pain in the mammary glands
This is the most common type of pain. It is associated with the menstrual cycle in women. This is almost always due to hormonal imbalances, which are felt as part of the menstrual cycle. Often women experience discomfort or pain in the period just before menstruation, when the mammary glands are most sensitive. Some women notice soreness midway through their period (from the start of ovulation), and for about a couple of weeks after their period.
Non-cyclical pain in the mammary glands
There are two types of non-cyclic pain:
- true chest pain – occurs in the mammary glands and does not depend at all on the cycle,
- pain that occurs in the area of the mammary glands, but the source of the pain is of bone and muscle origin (the most common cause of these pains is osteochondritis (a form of arthritis) that affects the ends of the ribs at the junction with the sternum.
Sometimes pain that feels like chest pain can be a disease of the lungs or bladder. Pain that occurs in the spine or chest wall may also be felt in the breasts.
True chest pain can sometimes be a symptom of a benign tumor.
Milk duct ectasia (enlargement) is characterized by dull or burning pain in the nipple area.
In addition, true chest pain can be caused by mastitis, a disease that is typical for young women who smoke.
Dull pain in the mammary gland that occurs occasionally is normal. This may be a symptom of a cyst, and removing the fluid from it will reduce the pain.
In any case, if you are concerned about pain in the mammary glands, consult a mammologist.